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Canon EOS 550D Digital SLR Camera (inc 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Kit) | 
| Brand: Canon
Buy New: £669.99
as of 5/9/2010 10:20 BST details
You Save: £430.00 (39%)
Rating:  4 reviews
Media: Electronics
Batteries: 1
Display Size: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 6.7 x 5.4
MPN: 4463B028AA
Model: 4463B028AA
EAN: 8714574550022
ASIN: B0037KM0FI
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| Features:
| • | 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor | | • | DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800) | | • | Continuous shooting at 3.7fps | | • | Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates | | • | 7.7 cm (3.0 inch) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The EOS 550D redefines the boundaries of Canon's consumer DSLR range, incorporating technologies and features more commonly found in semiprofessional DSLRs into the compact, lightweight body favoured by consumers. With a newlydeveloped 18 Megapixel (MP) APS-C CMOS sensor, coupled with Canon's advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and the ability to shoot Full HD movies, photography enthusiasts are empowered to explore new levels of creativity. The EOS 550D makes Canon's powerful imaging technology more accessible to consumers. Canon's advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and 18MP sensor support standard ISO settings of 100 6400 (expandable to 12800), while enhanced incamera noise reduction technology boosts performance in low light conditions. The system's 14bit image processing also produces smoother tonal gradation and natural looking colours for high quality prints and on-screen display.
For swift and accurate focusing, the EOS 550D features a 9point AF system with one extrasensitive crosstype point at the centre for f/2.8 or faster lenses. The EOS 550D also supports highspeed, continuous shooting at 3.7 frames per second (fps). These features provide users with the opportunity to exert greater control over their images, allowing them to capture splitsecond moments with ease and accuracy.
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| Customer Reviews:
The best of both worlds? April 2, 2010
R. M. Pattle
42 out of 42 found this review helpful
I've just bought this Canon 550D with the 18-135 IS lens and have so far been very impressed. It handles low light shooting very well, as a result of the IS facility and very high ISO ability.
The range coverage of this lens is excellent, from landscapes to close ups and the images I've got so far are very sharp and detailed. It can shoot in RAW mode along side high quality JPEG, so you have an image ready to show (JPEG) and an image you can tinker about with (RAW) on your computer until it is perfect (the provided Canon software makes it very easy to do). Navigating around the camera menu becomes a breezes after a few practices, although keep the manual nearby as there is a wealth of information to digest from it. The screen on the back is fantastic and crystal clear. The camera feels comfortable to hold (even in my big paws!) and is not to heavy to cart around. The microphone port is also a welcome new addition as it will allow you to capture the sound in stereo and enables you to choose your microphone weapon of your choice rather than being condemned into using the built in microphone (which does the job).
The only moan about this kit is that the AF is bit noisey, as it's not a USM lens, but if you want a comparable zoom range in a Canon USM lens you'd be paying a hell of lot more money (eg the 15-85 IS USM).
A couple of tips before I go
1) Buy a decent SDHC card like a Sandisk Extreme with a class 10 rating, preferably 16GB or more (for the video capture side of things especially). Don't be lured into buying a cheap card because it has a high capacity as it won't read and write the data fast enough to
be of any good, especially the HD video. Canon recommend at least a class 6 card.
2) Get a powerful computer. I am going to upgrade my desktop PC (or get something else). It has a 3.4Ghz AMD processor (albeit 5 years old), 1GB RAM and 256MB graphics, running with Windows XP. It can't seem to handle displaying the captured HD video and is slightly slow in processing the RAW images (each of which can be around 24MB in file size).
Overall a top piece of kit that you won't be disappointed with.
High Quality Stills and HD Video in One! March 8, 2010
Mr. Peter J. Chapman (Burgess Hill)
33 out of 35 found this review helpful
The Canon 550d is an upgrade from the 500d, a model that really hasn't been out for that long itself.
The 550d has a bigger and better sensor - The APS-C CMOS.
This new censor allows more light to hit it which results in brighter images.
The chassis is very similar in size to the 500d and still retains its light weight.
There's a 9-point AF system on-board, which locks on to subjects nice and fast. The ISO can be pushed up to as high as 12800.
Now, the tipping point for me in purchasing this camera was that it has amazing video capturing capabilities. You have a choice of frame rates, 30, 25 and 24fps at 1920x1080 with 60 and 50fps available at 1280x720 resolution.
The capture quality is superb, the footage you shoot can look as good as what you see at the cinema. It's to be expected really when you are using dslr lenses.
The only downfall of the video mode is that you can only capture around 12 minutes of HD footage at a time, this I have discovered is because of UK tax restrictions on recording equipment.
I really advise you to check out video samples captured from the 550d, you can find these on the popular video sharing websites. Your jaw will drop when you see just how good it is!
For me it had been a toss up between buying an HD camcorder or a digital slr camera, my budget couldn't stretch to getting both. The 550d is a great hybrid that allowed me to have both, albeit with a few compromises.
Finally, I almost forgot to mention the 3.5mm stereo microphone input on the 550d. Many expensive camcorders omit such a feature, so it's great for the cannon camera to have it. I personally have used a Sony ECM MS907 microphone with the unit and had great results.
The best of the best May 10, 2010
D. I. Ackroyd
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
The results already have provided excellent picture quality (200plus pictures assessed) at all focal lengths in all light conditions. The additional screen view for picture taking makes restricted location shooting very easy .The new lens combined with the excellent 18 million pixel size provides pictures at high focal length when viewed on 40 inch HD TV screens giving excellent results.
Excellent entry to HD filming making... April 26, 2010
A. Curran
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
I bought the Canon 550d as a first step in to the world of HD video shooting using a DSLR, coming from a background of using HD camcorders. I can highly recommend this camera as long as you are willing to shoot with a fully manual setup - autofocus, auto exposure and on board sound recording during video shooting are to be avoided when using this camera for serious paying work. However, the results are spectacular! 1980p HD footage and beautiful filmic Depth of Field to name but a few. There is also the benefits of an extensive list lenses by Canon, Sigma, Tamron, etc (and Nikon fit etc with cheap convertors). I haven't used my HD camcorder since buying this on any jobs. For the price of the 550d I can put up with its limitations. You can have a comprehensive setup including lenses and external sound recorder for a lot less than the cost of most HD camcorders. As I said above, the limitations are easily worked around.
Regarding still photography, its a very competent performer, sharing most of its brains with the higher priced 7D. There are many comparison reviews on the internet with out me going in to the differences.
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